Saturday 26th October 3 – 5pm
Tag: Newhaven
Give Guiding a go in Granton
We have an exciting opportunity for girls ages 5-18 to give guiding a go in Granton, Trinity and Newhaven!
Join us for FREE summer sessions from 22-26 July!
Monday, Wednesday and Friday sessions from 6 – 8pm.
Tuesday and Thursday sessions from 2 – 4pm.
Get in touch for more info or to book your place
Here we go again: Disruption expected as Trams to Newhaven prep work commences …
… and there’s major road resurfacing too
Contractors preparing to begin construction as part of the Trams to Newhaven project will carry out investigation works at various points on the route from later this month.
Ground and site investigation work has been programmed for a number of locations between York Place and Newhaven, starting in Lindsay Road in the week commencing 20 May 2019. Continue reading Here we go again: Disruption expected as Trams to Newhaven prep work commences …
Tram to Newhaven? Public consultation launched
‘Survey showed that a majority of residents think trams will make a positive difference to Leith’
Starting later this month, a major local consultation exercise will seek feedback on (a) traffic management and business support plans for the construction period and (b) the outline road layout for Leith Walk and the rest of the route.
The consultation comes as the results of an independent survey carried out in Leith are published, showing that the majority of respondents believe Leith would benefit from the introduction of a tram.
However the vast majority of those interviewed – 91% – said they are satisfied with current transport provision on Leith Walk.
From 19 March, six weeks of public consultation and engagement will provide the public, businesses and wider stakeholders with general information on the project, an opportunity to meet the team and specific details around traffic management during construction, support for business proposals and the outline road layout, ahead of final plans being drawn up.
Views will be sought on traffic management and phasing currently proposed, including proposals for the closure of Leith Walk northbound and a single lane open southbound, along with the closure of sections of Constitution Street, for approximately 18 months during construction.
The traffic management proposals have been drawn up following in-depth traffic modelling and discussions with key partners and stakeholders, including bus companies, local community groups, businesses and elected members.
The plans include support for businesses who will be most affected by the works, including provision for parking and loading between worksites, an Open for Business campaign, on-street customer service staff, logistics hubs and financial support.
Views will also be sought on the plans for the permanent design of the street along the route, including a dedicated public transport-only lane on Leith Walk for tram and bus during morning and evening rush hour.
This is the first stage in a consultation process that is scheduled to continue through to the end of 2018.
Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “When the Outline Business Case was approved by Council in September we pledged to dedicate the following year or so (ahead of the final decision) to establishing mutually beneficial relationships with local residents and businesses who would be most affected by construction works.
“We’ve been working very closely with the local community and our partners ever since to model traffic management plans and look at options for supporting businesses as much as possible if the project goes ahead.
“These plans have been developed taking on board lessons learned from the first phase of tramworks and the current traffic management arrangements in place around Leith Street.
“The recent Leith survey showed that a majority of residents think trams will make a positive difference to Leith.
“However, there are clearly some very real concerns about disruption and congestion during construction. This consultation gives people the chance to help shape how we manage things if and when work gets under way. We hope as many people as possible will have their say, either at one of our four information events or via the Consultation Hub, which will host the consultation from 19 March.”
The consultation will include:
- online consultation via the Consultation Hub
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28,000 letters delivered to residential addresses in the area surrounding the planned tram route
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4 public information events*
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4 local business forums
– 4 community council briefings
LEITH SURVEY
In November 2017, the project team commissioned an independent survey to understand local behaviours and attitudes towards Tram to Newhaven. Research done by Progressive Partnership – 368 ten-minute on-street interviews carried out on three different stretches of Leith Walk.
- 59% agreed that the line would benefit Leith with 58% saying it would be easier to get around and 42% saying it would be good for local business
- 91% were satisfied with current transport provision on Leith Walk
- When asked what would improve public transport provision in Leith Walk, the most popular response at 38% was ‘introduce a tram service’ NB most respondents currently used buses or walking to get to and around Leith
- 56% said they were likely to use the new line
- Among those who did not think Leith would benefit, concerns focused chiefly on disruption, delays and congestion resulting from construction works
*Public information events
Thursday 22 March: Leith Theatre, 11am – 6pm
Tuesday 3 April: McDonald Road Library, 10am – 4pm
Thursday 12 April: Leith Community Education Centre, 3pm – 9pm
Saturday 21 April: Ocean Terminal, 12 noon – 5pm
‘Bringing the area alive’: Newhaven gets gardening
A local Heritage Garden Group enlisted the help of green-fingered volunteers to help green up an area in Newhaven’s Fishmarket Square recently. The project is part of this year’s Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom, the UK’s largest community gardening campaign. Continue reading ‘Bringing the area alive’: Newhaven gets gardening
Bowtow bones spark medieval mystery
Ahoy, matey: is this the face of a salty sea dog?
The skeleton of a man discovered in a school playground could be that of a 600 year old criminal or pirate. The remains were found by the City of Edinburgh Council at the Capital’s oldest working Primary School last year while survey work was being undertaken to build an extension.
Victoria Primary School is situated close to Newhaven harbour, one of Scotland’s historic fishing villages. Workers had expected to find remains of the original harbour and shipbuilding but instead uncovered human bones.
Archaeologists first believed the remains were Bronze Age because they were in such a poor condition and found alongside 4,000 year old shards of pottery, but the bones were carbon dated to the 16th-17th Centuries. AOC Archaeology with forensic artist Hayley Fisher then created a facial reconstruction of the skull, which they believe belonged to a man in his fifties.
Councillor Richard Lewis, the city council’s Culture Convener, said: “Edinburgh has an undeniably intriguing past and some of our archaeological discoveries have been in the strangest of places.
“Thanks to carbon dating techniques, archaeologists now know that the skeleton was likely to have been a murder victim – and quite possibly a pirate. It’s fantastic that through the Council’s archaeology and museums service, we are able to investigate such discoveries and add to our understanding of Newhaven’s heritage.”
A gibbet – commonly used to execute witches and pirates – stood on the edge of Newhaven dockyards 600 years ago and it is believed the man could have been murdered in the device for criminal behaviour or piracy and discarded in nearby wasteland.
Due to the condition of the bones and location of his burial close to the sea and gibbet rather than any of three nearby graveyards, it is believed the man was likely killed before being displayed in plain sight of ships to deter fellow pirates. An unceremonious burial in a shallow, unmarked grave suggests he had no relatives or friends in the area.
Laura Thompson, Head Teacher at Victoria Primary School, added: “As the oldest working primary school in Edinburgh, we are proud of our history and heritage and the school even has a dedicated museum to the local area.
“The pupils think it’s fantastic that a skeleton was found deep underneath their playground. The archaeologists will hold a special lesson with some of the children about how they have used science to analyse the remains and it will be a good learning opportunity for them.”
Police seek woman following Broughton Road assault
Police are appealing for witnesses following an assault and attempted robbery on Broughton Road near its junction with Redbraes Place. The incident took place at around 1:40pm last Thursday (7 May).
A 34-year-old woman was walking towards the city centre when another woman approached her from behind. The assailant then grabbed her by the hair and attempted to snatch her handbag.
The victim screamed and managed to prevent the attacker from stealing her property. The would-be thief then climbed into the passenger side of a nearby car, which was driven away from the scene and turned left onto Newhaven Road.
Police are very keen to trace the woman and the driver of the vehicle as quickly as possible.
She is described as being white with blonde hair, between 5ft 5in to 5ft 7in tall and aged in her early to mid 30’s. At the time of this incident she was wearing casual clothing including trainers and grey/blue coloured jeans.
It is not clear what the make and model of the car is however police believe it may be red in colour.
Detective Constable Iain Wallace said: “”We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of Broughton Road around the time of this incident. This was a brazen attack carried out in broad daylight that has left the victim quite badly shaken.
“Anyone who can assist with our enquiries can contact police on 101 or, alternatively they can contact the crime charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Woman critical following Granton fire
A woman is in a critical condition following a living room fire in a Granton Mains flat yesterday.
Emergency services were called to Granton Mains East at about 5:45am.
Crews from Crewe Toll and McDonald Road wearing breathing apparatus rescued the woman from the blazing property. She received emergency first aid at the scene until ambulance crews arrived and took her to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are investigating the cause of the fire.
Local firefighters had earlier tackled a chip pan fire in a top floor flat in Great Michael Rise, Newhaven. The incident happened at around 1am. One man was in the flat at the time but he did not require medical treatment.
Police seek witnesses to Newhaven fatality
Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road collision in Newhaven. The incident happened on Wednesday at around 1.15pm on Lindsay Road.
Harry Slade, an 81-year-old pedestrian, was involved in a collision with a Kia Picanto car and sustained serious injuries. Members of the public, including an off duty doctor, provided emergency first aid until the Scottish Ambulance Service arrived. Mr Slade was then taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he later passed away.
Road Policing Officers responded to the scene and closed the road for around four hours while they conducted their investigation.
Enquiries into the full circumstances surrounding the collision are ongoing and anyone who can assist police is asked to come forward.
Road Policing Sergeant, Ross Drummond said: “The driver of the Kia stopped immediately and has been helping officers with their enquiry into this incident.
“We are now keen to hear from other motorists or members of the public as we look to establish exactly what happened.
“Officers have managed to speak with a number of those who provided emergency assistance to Mr Slade, but we believe there may be others who witnessed the collision and would urge these individuals to contact police immediately.
“Mr Slade was wearing a distinctive maroon-coloured jacket and a tweed hat. If you remember seeing him around the time of the collision the please get in touch.”
If you have any information please contact
Police Scotland on 101.
New homes in Newhaven
Port of Leith welcomes new homes
The second development built solely for mid market rent (MMR) by Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA), and its subsidiary company Persevere Developments Limited (PDL), has welcomed new residents.
Eight households have moved in to a block of new, high-quality properties in Flaxmill Place, Newhaven.
The £956,000 development, compromising two bedroom properties, is part of a larger scheme currently being built by Barratt East Scotland which already accommodates eight flats for social rent for Port of Leith Housing Association.
Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of Port of Leith Housing Association, said: “High quality, energy efficient and affordable homes is what we passionately believe in and being able to deliver. We are extremely pleased to have completed these homes and welcome eight new households.”
The development was funded by a combination of private finance raised by PoLHA and a Government grant allocated by the City of Edinburgh Council.
PoLHA has built the mid market rent homes on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary company Persevere Developments Ltd (PDL) which was set up in 2011 to enable the Association to offer a wider variety of affordable housing in future.
PoLHA owns over 2700 properties throughout Leith and the wider North Edinburgh area and has plans to deliver 400 more new affordable homes over the next few years through the Association and its subsidiary Persevere Developments Limited.